rebuilding old backup light switch
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rebuilding old backup light switch
My 1971 f100 backup light switch wasn't working. It is an old plunger type plastic switch for the manual transmission that mounts on the column under the hood. I opened it up and the spring had rusted away. I've replaced that with a retractable ball-point pen's spring - no problem there. But the metal insde the button that made contact with the housing, completing the circuit broke. I've been trying to replace it but am having little luck. Twisted copper wire makes the connection but gets stuck. I've tried everything from paperclips to copper flashing.
Any suggestions? Should I be looking for metal with a certain resistance, conductivity or what?
To replace the switch costs anywhere from $40-$60. Napa, autozone, none of them can get it.
Any suggestions? Should I be looking for metal with a certain resistance, conductivity or what?
To replace the switch costs anywhere from $40-$60. Napa, autozone, none of them can get it.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,025
Likes: 2,756
From: Virginia
What you need is silver on the contacts. All relays and switches have some content of silver or nickel/silver on their contacts. This keeps them from burning up or welding together, from the spark when the current is interrupted to the load.
What does the switch look like? Could you adapt something like this?
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=275%2D609
There is also the possibility you could cannibalize an old relay or switch, and get the contact buttons out of it to use.
What does the switch look like? Could you adapt something like this?
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=275%2D609
There is also the possibility you could cannibalize an old relay or switch, and get the contact buttons out of it to use.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,025
Likes: 2,756
From: Virginia
Nope. You need something that does not readily oxidize(burn up) when the spark occurs. I am surprised though, that you can't get it to work for a week or two before it burns up. But it must be the surge of current when the light filaments are cold. You might also buy a relay for foglamps or aux lighting, and let the switch activate the relay, and let the relay turn turn the lights on and off.
